Batcat

The graceful looking EC-121s of the 553rd out of Korat flew long missions to relay signals that came back from the sensors that had been placed along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The signals were forwarded to the Interdiction Surveillance Center (ISC), more widely known as Task Force Alpha at NKP.

Note from John Loftus: he Aircraft were EC-121R Models all ex-Navy WV's Pulled from the bone yardat DM. I'll check later for Navy Bur. # and the new AF #. They were renumberwith 67-xxx tail numbers. 

Note from John Loftus: Jim Checked Dean Boys home page (ex 551,552 and AWACS troop) and he shows that 30 Navy EC-121K's and P's were pulled from DM and reworked to EC-121R's SN 67-21471 through 67-21500.

Note from Al Matheson: Message: This is a shot of Crew 13 (Almond's nuts), climbing to Purple orbit near Delta 45 from Korat...I know! I was descending with 27 (Cookes Crumbs) when the photo was taken and widely distributed by a photog. I spent over 1200 combat hours with the 554th (other guys were 553rd) in the 553rd RCS...Bastard of the 4753rd RCW out of Otis AFB. Initial cadre 1967, 1st replacement was 1968.